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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Waking up in Vegas with a book giveaway!

**Giveaway is now closed**

We have a couple of treats for you today! One of our associate reviewers, Gail Allison, is here to talk about why she "hearts" Las Vegas. And Lindsey Kelk, care of HarperCollins UK, has FIVE copies of her upcoming novel, "I Heart Vegas," to share with some lucky readers anywhere in the world! It will be available on December 8th, so take a gamble you can't lose and make sure to buy yourself an early holiday treat (if you don't win a copy here first). You can even pre-order it for your Kindle!

Vegas, Baby!By Gail AllisonYou know that tingly feeling that starts in your fingertips and runs straight down your spine when you know something wonderful is about to happen to you? Your face gets warmer, you can’t help grinning like an idiot, and you want to high-five whoever is sitting next to you. You’re inclined to raise your glass to anything at all, and the least little bit of good news makes you want to break into applause and cheers. And that feeling is exponentially multiplied when you know everyone around you is feeling the exact same way. The air crackles with excitement that practically lights up the inside of the airplane.

Welcome to a flight landing in Las Vegas. I’m not kidding.

What other town can boast long-term headliners ranging from Frank Sinatra to Elvis Presley to Garth Brooks? Where else can you find mega-casinos with real live lions in the lobby? I saw two grown men shoot each other in the face in Las Vegas and they both lived!! (Admittedly, they were Penn and Teller, and it was part of their magic act at the Rio, but still!) I defy you to find me anywhere else in the world that I can (for a price, of course) head outside to the dolphin pools to be a dolphin trainer for the day, wander over and check out the white tigers when I’m done, and finish up with a four star dinner, all within minutes of each other. Oh…and then go dancing (with a very real chance of a celebrity sighting) at one of the upscale nightclubs nearby. And then bungee jump off the top of a hotel just up the street. Just another day in Vegas.

That being said, it’s probably not for everyone. My mom, for one, doesn’t seem to be impressed by the glittery façade of the strip (although I still wonder if she’d be more impressed if I hadn’t come home a few years ago from Vegas proudly sporting my first tattoo). But I still maintain that if she just took a deep breath and plunged headfirst into the glitz, she’d be awed. There’s really nothing else you can be when your plane is landing in the middle of the desert at night, and all you can see is the shimmering strip cutting through the middle of the city. The sheer magnitude of the strip is breathtaking.

Last time I was in Vegas, my husband and I were down there with a friend. Just to give you a sense of how wonderfully, ridiculously grandiose the properties are there, I decided that we could easily walk down to Caesar’s Palace for breakfast (What? Serendipity 3 is there! I had to! The frozen hot chocolate was calling to me!). We were staying at Treasure Island. The only hotel between the two is the Mirage, and they’re all on the same side of the street. The stroll from TI to Caesar’s took us fifteen minutes. I’m not kidding. FIFTEEN minutes to leave one hotel, go past another, and into the next one. Yes, we are all still on speaking terms, but if breakfast hadn’t been so incredibly delicious, it might not have turned out so well. Everything is bigger and shinier and just a little more dazzling in Vegas for no reason other than “we wanted it like this, so we made it like this”.

Oh...and it’s hot there. Being from a city where winter runs from October to March (at the very least), the heat is a big kicker for me. The fact that I was walking around in flip-flops and capri pants last time I was there (mid-October) practically made me giddy. That we got to drink from the world’s largest margarita may or may not have contributed to the giddiness. I can’t really say. I guess I’ll have to go back again just to make sure, right?

And that’s why I heart Vegas.

We are thankful to Gail for sharing her thoughts about Vegas with us and to Lindsey and HarperCollins for sharing "I Heart Vegas" with our readers! How to win "I Heart Vegas":Answer ONE of these three questions (only one entry per person):1. What is your favorite thing about Vegas? (If you've never been there, what is the first thing you'd do if you went.)2. What is your favorite Vegas themed movie, song or TV show?3. Have you ever gambled (playing the lottery does count)? What are your thoughts on gambling?

Please make sure to include your e-mail address or another way we can find you if you win!

What is your favorite Vegas themed movie, song or TV show?- I never was in Vegas cause Russia is pretty far away from it but when i think about this city i am immediately think about Friends' episode when Rachell and Ross got married in Vegas =D Best episode ever! plus i love "What Happens in Vegas"

My favourire part about Vegas was how it made me feel like a star. The bright lights made me feel glamourous and special. I loved most seeing Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra's stars in front of the Flamingo as well as the Venetian Hotel. It was absolutely breathtaking!

I DEFINITELY heart Vegas. As someone living in the UK I have been to Vegas for the last 8 years running and have stayed in 10 different hotels in that time. I already have my next trip in January booked and cannot wait.

Seeing as I work for a Bookmakers (Gambling) in the UK you would think I would like to gamble in the Casinos but I havent once put a Cent in any machine or geot involved in anything else that would take my money.

My only vice is shopping and Vegas has plenty of it and thats why I come back time and time again.

My favourite thing by far about Vegas has to be the hotels. No matter how much you try and explain to people what they are like inside and out nothing can compare to seeing them yourself. My favourite by far exteriorwise has to be New York New York and for someone thats been there it gives you a little smile to see The Statue of Liberty take pride of place outside. As for interior I dont think you can beat the Gondolas and St Marks Square in The Venetian - Again undescribeable and something everyone should witness themselves.

Could literally go on all day about the different things that make me go back year after year but that would take too much time and im guessing peeps are bored of me already!

My favorite thing about Vegas is actually that my parents are OBSESSED with it! They go on several mini-vacations to Vegas a year, and seem to do more than I would do with my friends there! Haha. Good for them! Now maybe one of these days they'll decide to take me along...!nina565(at)aol(dot)com

1. The first thing I would do once getting to Las Vegas would be to find the tallest building, find my way up as high as I could and take in the view! I'm a sucka for a skyline, even a bright, sparkling one!

2. Has to be The Hangover! What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas! Being totally wild and free with your best friends, can't get much better. (Even if you lose one)

3. Only ever gambled with my heart unless you count the 2p machines at the arcades gambling. Think if you have the money then its up to you, but never put yourself at risk. It should always be about fun.

1. My favourite thing about Vegas are the Bellagio fountains, because it was the first 'touristy' thing that myself and my friends saw when we arrived and it was the start of an epic holiday.

2. Not strictly Vegas themed but the first song that I think of when I think of Vegas is Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis.. mainly because of the amount of Elvis impersonators in Vegas!

3. I have played the lottery and won £10. I had probably invested more than £10 prior to winning, however it definately gave me hope that one day I will actually win the jackpot. I think that as long as you know you're limits, gambling can be quite fun.. and I definately enjoyed spending my £10 on a nice bottle of wine with my friends that night!!

1) I've never been to Vegas (or the US for that matter). So I have to say 'Everything', all the buildings, the crazyness, the people...2) What Happens in Vegas...3) Nope, I don't gamble. At all. shame really, lol

1)I've never been to vegas but when I go I would most definitely jump into the Bellagio Fountains then eat my way through the city and finally go on all the rides on top of Stratosphere hotel (I like a bit of thrill)

2)It has to be Oceans 11 who wouldn't want George clooney, Brad Pitt,Matt Damon AND Julia Roberts in one movie trying to rob a casino in Vegas?

3)Yes I have gambled before...I enjoy beating complete strangers in texas hold em poker on facebook just to get the satisfaction of winning and I also play the lottery regularly to try and win an fair amount of money so i can fund my clothing obsession.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY!I heart NY,Hollywood and Paris and sure heart Vegas and would love to have a copy. Read the other three books (they are even translated here in my part of the world!!! wooohoo) and LOVED them.So now, the questions.1. Oh the first thing that pops into my mind is GAMBLING..lol, would love to try that, but not spend much, just for the sake of some fun and adrenaline:)

2. Not just my fav Vegas song, but one of my all-time favorites - VIVA LAS VEGAS ELVIS PRESLEY. That song rules!

3. I played the lottery few times,however I would never try to gamble with large amounts of money. I am not that rich:)Plus even if I was, I would rather give it to a charity than lose 1 mill on roulette:)I think that people who gamble with these kind of amounts are addicted:) Yes, kind of:)

I've never been to Las Vegas so the first things I would wanna check out would either be a casino or the Pawn Store where Pawn Stars is filmed! I also liked the film Sister Act at the end where all the nuns are in the casino:)

1) Never been to Vegas before but if I were to, I'd visit the Caesar's Palace! Such a lovely place! At least it is on the telly screen!2) Favourite song of Vegas is Waking Up In Vegas by Katy Perry! My favourite song of 2009!3) The thrill you get from gambling! It's very addictive too! But never done it properly before, only played games on Facebook. I hate losing all my money!kevinlohxx(at)gmail(dot)com

I've never been to Vegas but the first thing im going to do when i do eventually get there is go and see one of the big 'superstar' shows. Barry Manilow and Celine Dion may be cheesy here but i think they fit perfectly with Vegas, and i reckon with the amount of money they get paid to do these residencies, it would be one hell of a show!

1)Ive never been but would love to see and visit all the themed hotels especially want to see the dancing fountains at the Bellagio. 2)This is easy Elvis Viva Las Vegas 3)I live in the UK and we have a huge horse race here called the Grand National. Have a bet every year and I have done at other horse & groundhound race meetings. I can see how people get hooked on winning. Never so good when you loose though.

I'm going to Vegas for the first time this weekend to run my first half marathon. We are going to the "O" Cirque du Soleil show. I don't have a favorite Vegas movie but my favorite Vegas tv show was "Las Vegas" on NBC. My husband gambles but I do not. I prefer shows, shopping and spas :)

1. What is your favorite thing about Vegas? I would love looking at all the amazing hotels.2. What is your favorite Vegas themed movie, song or TV show? The Hangover!!3. Have you ever gambled (playing the lottery does count)? What are your thoughts on gambling? Play the lottery occasionaly. Would love to win so think gambling can be a good thing.

1) My fave thing about Vegas....is that I`m heading there in TWO DAYS!! Yipee! I love that the city is alive 24/7 and anything goes!!! After this trip, I`m sure I`ll be able to add Criss Angel to my list of Vegas loves ;-)

2) Fave movie/show would have to be the Friends episode where Ross & Rachel get married. And The Hangover could also make my list.

3) I usally only gamble when in Vegas and don`t go hard-core, but enjoy the time I spend doing it! Especially if I`m up!!

That I got married there, that I was able to go back the most recent time with my best friend and show her the place where I got married and feel real closure on the aforementioned marriage. While it was me who ended the relationship several years down the line (hey we got married there for "family politics" and I had just lost my Mum so it was less painful to be Over There to do it) and some people felt that I did not need closure, nor deserve it, somehow it worked.

Watching a musical in one of the hotels and about halfway through I started to cry silently and just felt refreshed. Vegas is certainly healing and that's despite the fact that I had already given up drinking before the 1st time I was ever there.

I think gambling is fine in moderation, and that you know when to quit. My husband plays the lottery but he only spends a set amount. I grew up working in a bingo (I went to Catholic School and the money went right back to the church and school. I earned pretty good money! and I had fun too!) I have only been to a casino twice and I had a blast playing the slot machines.

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